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City Report · OH

Columbus

Pop. 914,802·67th most expensive in Ohio·Rental market data updated monthly for Columbus, OH
Median rent (all units)
$1,456/mo
Year-over-Year
+3.3%
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
-$495
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Columbus · $1,456
More affordable than 79% of US cities · National median $1,951/mo
Rent Reality Score
61/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what Columbus's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,456/mo
Expected by trend
$1,539/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Columbus's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,064
1 BR
$1,151
2 BR
$1,394
3 BR
$1,679
4 BR+
$1,870
Research median
$1,394/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$17,472/yr
At $1,456/mo median
Market timing
Rents stable
Prices holding steady month-over-month.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Columbus, OH is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 38.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
914,802
Median income
$66,082
Median age
33.2
Renters
55.9%
Age distribution
22%
31.4%
25%
Under 1822%
18–3431.4%
35–5425%
55–6410.3%
65+11.3%
Gender
49.2%
50.8%
Male49.2%
Female50.8%
Race & ethnicity
51.7%
29.3%
White51.7%
Black29.3%
Hispanic8.3%
Asian6%
Other4.8%
Education (25+)
25.3%
26.3%
38.2%
No HS diploma10.3%
HS diploma25.3%
Some college26.3%
Bachelor's+38.2%
Housing tenure
44.1%
55.9%
Owner44.1%
Renter55.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Columbus, OH has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,135 → $1,456
up 28.3%
Income
$58,575 → $66,082
up 12.8%
Population
898,143 → 914,802
up 1.9%
Renter share
55.2% → 55.9%
+0.7 pts
Bachelor's+
37.9% → 38.2%
+0.3 pts
Median age
32.5 → 33.2
+0.7 yrs

The median rent in Columbus, OH stood at $1,135 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,456, reflecting a 28.3% increase over the period. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $58,575 in 2021 to $66,082 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 1.9% since 2021, moving from about 898,143 residents to roughly 914,802. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Columbus, OH market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Columbus

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View Columbus rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Columbus on your salary?

At $1,456/mo, how Columbus rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Columbus rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Columbus. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Columbus

About renting in Columbus, OH

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The median rent in Columbus is $1,456/mo as of June 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,064/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,394/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,151/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,679/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($66,082/yr), Columbus ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Columbus an affordable city for renters?

Columbus is considered affordable for renters. At $1,456/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($66,082/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Columbus falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Columbus?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $58,000/year (~$28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,456/mo in Columbus. The local median household income is $66,082/yr, meaning the typical Columbus household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Columbus?

Rent in Columbus has increased 3.3% over the past year as of June 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Columbus neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Columbus are 43224 ($1,165/mo), 43232 ($1,241/mo), and 43229 ($1,316/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Columbus is $1,456/mo.

How does Columbus rent compare to other cities in Ohio?

Columbus is middle-of-the-pack for Ohio for rent, ranking #67 out of 125 tracked cities at $1,456/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Columbus?

Whitehall is nearby and more affordable at $1,284/mo, which is $172 less than Columbus.

What percentage of Columbus residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 55.9% of Columbus households are renters, while 44.1% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Columbus has a strong rental market.

How does Columbus rent compare to the national average?

Columbus's median rent of $1,456/mo is $495 (25%) below the US national median of $1,951/mo. Within Ohio, it ranks #67 out of 125 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,456/mo, rent takes ~26% of Columbus's median household income ($66,082/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Columbus 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.75–3.5%
Run the Columbus affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Columbus, OH

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